Georgia’s Trevor Etienne could face suspension for DUI arrest

ATHENS, Georgia Coach Kirby Smart announced on Tuesday that Georgia running back Trevor Etienne, who was arrested for DUI over the weekend, will be subject to disciplinary action from both the institution and the athletic department.

If Etienne is found guilty of DUI, he will miss 10% of Georgia’s season, or at least one game out of the Bulldogs’ 12-game schedule, according to athletic department policy. On August 31, 2024, the Bulldogs take on Clemson in Atlanta to begin their season.

According to a complaint from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, Etienne repeatedly jumped over a double yellow line to pass cars while traveling 80 to 90 mph in a 50 mph zone on Sunday at around 1:50 a.m. Police spoke with Etienne, a transfer from Florida, who said he was trying to get home and had had three beers “way earlier.”

In a 2024 Audi RS7, Etienne, the younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, refused to submit to a field sobriety test. According to the police, he was swaying back and forth while standing on level ground, had glassy eyes, and slurred speech. Etienne offered his car key to the arresting officer when he asked for identification.

Etienne was charged with DUI in addition to careless driving, failing to stay in his designated lane, driving improperly on the road, and using materials that obscured his windshield and windows. Because the DUI offense is categorized as “less safe,” the defendant may still be found guilty in Georgia even if his blood alcohol content is below.08.

According to Smart, letting the legal process play out is one step in deciding Etienne’s punishment.

Tuesday’s weekly press conference began with the coach calling Etienne a “great kid, great person” and expressing how much he loved the competition and being trained.

“As we also know, kids sometimes don’t make the best decisions,” Smart stated. “The consequences of your blunders can sometimes be more severe as you age. He therefore refuses to let this error define who he is. He feels ashamed. He’s angry. He is aware that he erred. We hope he learns from it since it’s a teaching moment.”

With the Gators for two seasons, Etienne, then 19 years old, ran for 1,472 yards and fifteen touchdowns. This season, he was expected to play a significant role in the Bulldogs’ running scheme.

In the year following the Jan. 15, 2023 incident that claimed the lives of offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy, Georgia football players were either arrested or issued citations for speeding or reckless driving at least fourteen times. According to the authorities, alcohol and speeding contributed to that collision.

According to ESPN, Smart regularly counsels his athletes on the risks associated with driving carelessly or while intoxicated. The Bulldogs frequently invite guest speakers to address the squad. One such speaker was former NFL receiver Donte Stallworth, who tragically killed a victim in Florida in 2009 while operating a vehicle under the influence.

“It wasn’t just because of some of the issues we’ve had, but we got [Stallworth] in here because over and above getting a DUI and all that entails, you can kill somebody,” Smart stated. “I wanted our kids to hear it from somebody who had gone through something that terrible.”

Earnest Greene III, a sophomore offensive tackle, stated that players had met with Josh Brooks, the athletic director, and Smart to discuss about placing themselves in a situation where they could drive while intoxicated. Additionally, Smart has emphasized how crucial it is for players to watch out for and regulate one another.

Greene declared, “It’s on us.”